"Cosatu seems to have lost its moral compass because of factionalism, and will never regain integrity and credibility among South Africans," Shivambu said in a statement on behalf of the "economic freedom fighters".

He was responding to Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini's call for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to re-consider standing for president of the ANC.

Dlamini was speaking at the KwaZulu-Natal provincial shop stewards' council in Durban on Sunday.

He said Motlanthe would risk embarrassment by standing against President Jacob Zuma at the elective conference of the African National Congress in Mangaung next month.

Shivambu said the Congress of the South African Trade Unions' stance lacked "basic organisational democratic principles".

"For Cosatu to sit in a factional meeting, inspired by tribalism and fear of an individual ... and suggest that some ANC members' rights should be curtailed is irresponsible."

The trade union federation was now the official mouthpiece of the South African Communist Party-led faction that wanted to defend and openly stand by corrupt practices in the ANC and South African society.

All members of the party had a right to stand for election.

"The entire movement guarantees all members' rights to elect and be elected.
Motlanthe has on more than one occasion said that it is only the branches of the ANC that carry the responsibility of electing leaders in properly convened conferences." – Sapa